File No. 711.5914/115
Minister Egan to the Secretary of State
Copenhagen, August 23, 1916, 4 p.m.
323. National Tidende of last night had a communication in answer to an alleged question put to the President and answered by a high official of the Department to the effect that the question of the payment of twenty five million dollars is delaying the passing of the treaty and that it is doubtful whether the treaty will be passed this session. At this moment of difficulty when all our best interest points to the ratification of the treaty here such a communication does great harm and the impression that the treaty may not be ratified during the present session is rather embarrassing. The amount doubtless seems large but every diplomatist here admits the islands will be eventually absolutely necessary to us.